Danone Research and Micropharma establish partnership for cardiovascular
research
US$8 million investment by Danone Research in Canadian company
BOUCHERVILLE, QC, May 17 /CNW Telbec/ - Danone Research, a unit of Danone involving more than 1,200 employees worldwide, have reached a partnership agreement with Micropharma Limited, a Canadian firm specializing in biological sciences, to develop new technologies in cholesterol reduction for dairy products.
Micropharma will provide expertise combined with their patented technology in cardiovascular health, while Danone Research will bring its experience, market knowledge and equity financing of US$8 million.
Ryan Elliott Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer of Micropharma, commented: "Danone's $8-million investment in Canadian biological sciences is significant. For Micropharma, Danone Research is the ideal partner. We are excited about the prospects for 2010, a year in which we will work to support our ambitious research and development program, secure new partnerships and patents, and increase our emphasis on product and business development."
Frédéric René, Vice-President, R&D Dairy, added: "Inspired by its mission, Danone Research attaches great importance to cardiovascular health. For this reason, we are proud to invest in Micropharma, an innovative company that conducts promising research in this field."
Danone Research's involvement goes beyond financing
Danone Research's involvement in this partnership goes well beyond financing. Micropharma can count on the experience and expertise of Danone's senior executives, which will serve not only on the Board of Directors but also the scientific committee.
In the coming months, Micropharma and Danone Research will be working closely to develop a new marketable product. The injection of capital will allow greater financial flexibility to support Micropharma's research and activities in cardiovascular health and to develop other innovative projects.
About Micropharma
Established in Montreal, Quebec, Micropharma Limited is a company about innovation. Micropharma's goal is to apply a unique approach to discover novel and commercial probiotic and enzymatic solutions for metabolic diseases. Through innovative research and development, the company has created a number of outstanding product candidates. Micropharma applies a holistic method to probiotic and enzyme therapies by focusing first on the disease and then developing the most effective treatment for that condition. This method is supported by extensive research and development to ensure the most effective products for consumers. Micropharma is currently addressing some of the worlds most difficult and costly health problems including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, inflammatory bowel disease, wound treatment, and infections. Its experienced research team has clinical medicine expertise and is supported by an expert business development and marketing group. By fostering strategic partnerships with leading manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, Micropharma is building a global network to deliver innovative and effective health solutions. Micropharma is in part supported by the National Research Council of Canada and its Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) and by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and its program Ideas to Innovation (NSERC and NSERC I2I).
About Danone
Danone is one of the most dynamic companies in the food industry. Its mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. Its products are sold on five continents and in over 120 countries. In 2009, Danone, which has 160 production sites and approximately 80,000 employees, recorded 15 billion euros in sales. Danone enjoys leading positions in the health food market based on four businesses: fresh dairy products (No. 1 worldwide), water (No. 2 in the bottled water market), baby food (No. 2 worldwide) and medical nutrition. Listed on Euronext Paris, Danone is also ranked among the main indices of social responsibility: Dow Jones Sustainability Index Stoxx and World, ASPI Eurozone and Ethibel Sustainability index. All of Danone's research and development expertise is brought together at Danone Research, a worldwide organization present in a dozen countries which employs more than 1,100 employees and is involved in almost 200 scientific collaborations around the world.
For further information: Anne-Julie Maltais, External Communications Manager, DANONE, (450) 655-7331, ext. 2111, Fax: (450) 655-0073, [email protected]; Dr. Chris Wahl, Director of Business Development, Micropharma Limited, (514) 987-4151, Fax: (514) 987-4616, [email protected]
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